114C.20 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. An environmental improvement program is established to promote voluntary compliance with environmental requirements. History: 1995 c 168 s 8; 1996 c 437 s 24; 1999 c 158 s 1; 2000 c 260 s 94
114C.21 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Applicability. As used in sections 114C.20 to 114C.28, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given. Subd. 2. Agency. “Agency” means the Pollution Control Agency. Subd. 2a. Environmental management system. “Environmental management system” means a documented, systematic procedure or practice that reflects the regulated entity’s due diligence in preventing, […]
114C.22 AUDITS. Subdivision 1. Qualifications to participate. For a facility to qualify for participation in the environmental improvement program, more than two years must have elapsed since the initiation of an enforcement action that resulted in the imposition of a penalty involving the facility. In addition, a regulated entity must: (1) conduct an environmental audit […]
114C.23 REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES. (a) A reasonable performance schedule prepared under section 114C.22, subdivision 2, clause (4), must be approved by the commissioner. In reviewing the reasonableness of a performance schedule, the commissioner shall take into account information supplied by the regulated entity, any public comments, and information developed by agency staff. The decision […]
114C.24 ENFORCEMENT. Subdivision 1. Deferred enforcement. The state must defer for at least 90 days enforcement of an environmental requirement against the owner or operator of a facility if a report that meets the requirements of section 114C.22, subdivision 2, has been submitted to the commissioner. If the report includes a performance schedule, and the […]
114C.25 GREEN STAR AWARD. (a) A regulated entity may display at a facility a “green star” award designed by the commissioner if: (1) the regulated entity qualifies for participation in the environmental improvement program under section 114C.22; (2) the scope of the regulated entity’s audit examines the facility’s compliance with applicable environmental requirements; (3) the […]
114C.26 ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS. Subdivision 1. Public access. (a) After receipt by the commissioner of a report that complies with section 114C.22, subdivision 2, the state may not request, inspect, or seize a final audit report, draft audit papers, the notes or papers prepared by the auditor or the person conducting the audit, or the […]
114C.27 NO EFFECT ON OTHER RIGHTS. Sections 114C.20 to 114C.28 do not affect, impair, or alter: (1) rights of a regulated entity that chooses not to participate, or is not eligible to participate, in the environmental improvement program; or (2) rights of other persons relative to the matters addressed by the environmental improvement program. History: […]
114C.28 REPORTING REQUIRED BY LAW. Nothing in sections 114C.20 to 114C.28 alters the obligation of any regulated entity to report releases, violations, or other matters that are required to be reported by state or federal law, rule, permit, or enforcement action. History: 1995 c 168 s 17; 1996 c 437 s 24; 1999 c 158 […]
114C.40 VOLUNTARY SELF-REPORTING OF MINOR VIOLATIONS. Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given. (b) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency. (c) “Environmental requirement” means a requirement in a law administered by the agency, a rule adopted by the agency, a permit or […]
